Live turtle and amphibian sales in China

We
write on behalf of our 3,500 UK members who will be shocked and sickened to
learn that your Chinese operation is actively involved in inflicting some of
the most extreme forms of animal cruelty imaginable. The level of suffering
caused to turtles and frogs in Chinese markets is well documented. These
animals are shipped and handled with no regard to their welfare and without any
attempt to minimise their suffering. They are maintained in-store under totally
unacceptable conditions, and are killed in a grossly inhumane and barbaric
fashion. These animals are essentially dissected alive. They have highly
developed sensory capabilities, and without question suffer the most extreme
pain and distress over an extended period.

It
is frankly revolting that any UK company should be promoting this kind of
thing.

Should
such actions be repeated in the UK it would be a serious criminal offence for
which you would undoubtedly be prosecuted. We can only presume that because you
are committing these offences in China, you believe that it will escape the
notice of your UK customers. We are determined to ensure that this is not the
case. We are writing to all of our members to inform them of your direct
involvement in this vile trade and to urge them to shop elsewhere.

In
addition to the truly disgraceful welfare aspects of this trade, the
consumption of turtles specifically in China has resulted in the near
extinction of a large number of species. I would draw your attention to the
following highly reputable reports:

You
will note that these reports are endorsed by the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the
IUCN, and TRAFFIC International, and have been prepared by the top specialists
in this field. There is absolutely no doubt whatever that the trade Tesco is
now involved with is ecologically disastrous, is totally unsustainable, and is
causing immense (and unrecoverable) damage to endangered turtle populations in
the region.

The
trade in frogs has also caused widespread ecological damage, and has directly
increased reliance on, and use of, toxic pesticides in those regions where the
animals are collected. Frogs consume a significant quantity of insects and
their larvae, and thus act a natural form of pest control. Once removed from
the equation, pest populations (particularly mosquitoes) multiply rapidly,
leaving local people with no other recourse than to use chemical pesticides.
EFTA (the European Fair Trade Association) has specifically identified trade in
frogs and frog’s legs as acutely ecologically damaging and has used this to
illustrate case studies on how unsustainable exploitation of this type damages
the environment, local economies, and human health. In addition, Compassion in
World Farming (www.ciwf.org) has reported
extensively on the trade in frogs for human consumption and has condemned it on
both humane and environmental grounds, stating that they are “utterly opposed”
to it.

Your company has sought to present a “green” image to UK
consumers. You have also sought to promote a range of “ethical” and vegetarian
products.Your corporate website
states: “We will continue to promote high standards of animal welfare” and “We
demand high standards of animal welfare”.

Your activities in China reveal these statements to be
completely false. You are not promoting animal welfare; you are actively
promoting the most obscene levels of cruelty.I would venture to suggest that no vegetarian or consumer who cares at
all about the environment or about humane issues could with any conscience set
one foot in your stores while you continue to be involved in this particularly
horrific and destructive trade.

I
would further point out that the human health implications of trade in exotic
species is extremely serious. These animals carry multiple bacterial, parasitic
and viral pathogens as a matter of course.There is no effective way to eliminate these. As we have seen so
dramatically illustrated with both SARS and avian influenza the consumption of
wildlife and its maintenance in close contact with other food sources presents
a massive danger to human health worldwide. Turtles and frogs are notorious
carriers of such pathogens. I was personally involved in the preparation of a
report (in 1998) that looked at this issue in the context of Chinese markets in
San Francisco:

The
situation in mainland China is even worse, with scant regard to hygiene at all
stages, and uncontrolled movements of animals in close proximity to other
foodstuffs. Make no mistake, whatever “window dressing” you do in terms of
hygiene, the very presence of live wildlife in a food store is a recipe for a
human health disaster of epic proportions. By engaging in this trade, you not
only endanger lives in China, you endanger them worldwide.

We
shall shortly forward a list of specific questions we have concerning your
activities with regard to the sale and treatment of live turtles and amphibians
in your Chinese operation.

In
summary, I believe that our members (and the UK public at large) will be
utterly horrified when they begin to realise the full implications and details
of your involvement in this trade. It is our intention to bring this to the
attention of any many people as possible, and to encourage everyone to take
whatever action they can to convince you that such an involvement is totally
unacceptable.

Do the
school children that participate in your computer voucher scheme realise that
you are involved in this? Do the vegetarians who purchase your products know?
Do shoppers who care about ethical trade and the environment know? Do the
people who purchase your pet insurance and financial services know? They soon
will.

I
have personally been a regular and loyal customer of Tesco’s for very many
years. I enclose my Tesco Clubcard as evidence of my past support. Cancel my
Clubcard membership with immediate effect. I will now do my shopping elsewhere
with companies who have a more acceptable ethical policy and who are not
involved inflicting depraved levels of suffering on sentient animals and
causing species to plunge headlong into extinction. I will be asking all of our
members and supporters to do the same thing. I realise that you are a vast
company, and that individually, it may seem as though the consumer is powerless
to influence your activities, but collectively, we can have an effect – and we
will.

We
are bringing this matter to the urgent attention of all conservation, wildlife,
vegetarian, Animal Rights, animal welfare and ethical trade organisations in
the UK and beyond. Potential customers of Tesco have an absolute right to know
what kind of activities and behaviour the profits from their purchases are
being used to promote. As a leading tortoise and turtle organisation, and as
concerned individuals, we have a duty to do everything in our power to protect
and conserve these animals, and I can think of no worse form of cruelty, abuse
and grossly unethical exploitation than what is taking place in China, in your
stores.

This
campaign is just beginning, and it will not end until you have renounced all
involvement, direct or indirect, in this appalling trade.

Yours
faithfully,

A. C. Highfield

Co-Founder,
Tortoise Trust

FURTHER ACTION

What you can do

Write a letter NOW to Tesco and tell them what you think about them selling live turtles and frogs in China.

Buy elsewhere. We recommend the Co-Op as a much more ethical alternative. They have genuine ethical standards and enforce them.

Tell everyone you know about Tesco's involvement in this shocking trade. Encourage them to shop elsewhere.

Do not buy any products or services from Tesco until they have ceased all involvement with the live turtle and frog trade.

Protest at your local Tesco store. Tell them why you will not shop there in future.

Visit the Tescopoly anti-Tesco coalition to discover more about the negative impacts Tesco is having on economies and the environment

It is becoming clear that Tesco are not the only company involved in committing horrendous animal abuse and environmentally destructive activities (out of sight of their Western customers) in China in the quest for quick profit...

WALMART the US supermarket giant is involved, so is the French chain Carrefour (who have actually been selling LIVE SNAKES at their store in Shenzhen!!!!).

"The last things the turtles see in the Wal-Mart megastore in northern Beijing
are bright fluorescent lights, masked shop assistants and, if they crane their
necks over the edge of their plastic container, a chalk board offering them for
sale at the bargain price of 39,8 yuan (about $5) each.

Once that sum is
paid, even their shells cannot protect them. They are whisked off to the
in-store slaughter counter, where their necks are cut, their blood is drained
and they are bagged and tagged ready for the checkout counter.

According to the shop assistant, a small minority of the 100 turtles sold every
day could also expect a brief respite. “A few customers like to take them home
alive so they can play with them for a few days before making them into soup,”
she said." (1)

It seems that despite the various "ethical standards" claims all of these companies make, the reality is very different. Away from the Western media, and out of sight of their US and European customers, most of whom would be horrified at such blatant abuse their behaviour really gives the game away...